Compost for a Desert Garden
Requiring a litte more water, and a little more care
Using a little more attention and a little more water, the desert gardener can make viable compost.
In more humid climates, with ample rainfall (generally over 20 inches), composting is an easy chore. Simply place the proper materials into a bin, moisten it every couple of weeks and wait for aerobic bacteria to begin the process.
However, in arid areas, there is a little more effort involved. Average humidity in wetter areas of North America (and elsewhere) ranges between 40 and 60 percent. However, humidity in arid and desert regions can be as low as 10 percent.
Desiccating winds, hot sun, and barren, sandy, highly alkaline soil contribute to more dryness.
All these conditions contribute to less than ideal conditions for making compost. However, a few simple measures and regular attention to the compost pile can solve any problems.
Here is a secret to composting in arid regions. As you build your compost pile, wind a soaker hose through the materials. Gauge how long it takes to moisten (not drown) the pile. Use a simple mechanical timer, and set it to turn on for the time necessary to moisten the pile. The water helps to metabolize all the materials necessary for decomposition. You will know when you have reached the right mixture when the internal temperature of the pile reaches 140 degrees F, which is warm enough to kill seeds and pathogens.
Check your pile daily to insure the hose is doing its job. Insert a compost aerator into the pile at various places and testing the material.
If you do this, you should have a viable compost pile and plenty of rich soil and compost for your desert garden.
Layering. When placing organic material into a compost pile, remember three things:
Green (for nitrogen sources). This can be grass clippings or any other source of green organic material.
Brown (for carbon). Try dried leaves, shredded bark and other matter to provide carbon to the mix.
Layering. Think of a layer cake or how lasagna is made. Apply six- to eight-inch alternating layers of green and brown materials, when first building your pile.
Turn your pile once every two weeks, or more often if it is in an enclosed container.
There are several ways to turn your pile.
If you’re using a tumbler-composting barrel, just flip it once a day.
For drawer or layered containers, start at the bottom and dump each layer onto the shelf or drawer below. Do this about every two weeks.
For open bins, there are also several methods you can use.
If you have two or more bins, simply place them side by side. Using your garden fork or a pitchfork, take forkfuls of material from one bin and place it into the other. Put the material that is in the center of the first bin at the outside of the second one. Put the outside of the first into the center of the second. If you have three bins, just move the compost over one bin, and begin to fill the first bin again with new organic material
If you have only one bin, then you need to turn the compost pile upside down and inside out. This is a much more difficult, time consuming and backbreaking job.
When you use open bins, turn the compost about once every two weeks.
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